Mitch Trubisky has embraced the process, even if it is more complicated than previously believed.
The Chicago Tribune’s Dan Wiederer writes about Trubisky’s learning curve, which the rookie quarterback has called “a lot more complex than people think.” When asked to elaborate, Trubisky responded by saying “I don’t know if I can describe it. It’s tough even for me to explain to people what I’m going through and what it is we do here.”
While there is external pressure to start Trubisky if Mike Glennon continues to struggle, Trubisky’s words serve as a reminder that he is still trying to get a grasp on what he is being asked to do as a backup and scout team quarterback – as well as what he’ll need to do whenever his number is called.
The No. 2 overall pick is in a complicated place where he might be the best quarterback on the Bears’ roster (he’s certainly the most athletic and exciting) but might not be developed enough to make the most of his skills and talents at this time. While the offense struggles under Glennon’s command, Trubisky is learning on the sidelines despite the unit’s shortcomings.
Trubisky’s day will come, but only after a few more lessons are learned along the way.
If not for the mismatches the Steelers create defensively, I’d be more disappointed that Sunday’s Bears-Steelers game won’t feature a showdown between Trubisky and Ben Roethlisberger. After all, Trubisky was able to soak in some knowledge from the two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback during the pre-draft workout season. Over at CSN Chicago, JJ Stankevitz reveals what Trubisky learned from Big Ben, a player Trubisky idolized in part because of his Ohio roots.
Alas, we won’t get the young QB vs. his idol story line to start the game. But we’ll still get a matchup between two very tall quarterbacks, so that counts for something. We’ll also get a matchup featuring a quarterback looking to get a grip on his starting job and is expected to get some help on Sunday. Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times writes the reinforcements are on their way, but wonders if the new additions on the offensive side of the ball will help hold off Trubisky time.
Even with a healthy Kyle Long at guard and potential deep threat in receiver Markus Wheaton, Glennon hasn’t done much to elevate the rest of the roster around him. Free agent tight end Dion Sims has been a non-factor and the running game has taken a step back through two games. Yes, Glennon is working with a short-handed group of receivers but head coach John Fox claimed Glennon was the type of player who “raises all boats.” That has yet to be proven true, but Glennon could make a stride in that direction with a solid Week 3 performance.
Tarik Cohen could be a helping hand in getting the running game going again. First, he’ll have to overcome his punt return mishap in Week 2 that resulted in a turnover and an immediate touchdown by the Buccaneers offense on the next play from scrimmage. JJ Stankevitz of CSN Chicago details how the Bears coached up Cohen in the week after his costly gaffe and how he hopes to move on from there.
On the other side of the ball, the Bears’ defense faces a big challenge in a Steelers offense with many weapons, writes Bob LeGere of the Daily Herald. Pittsburgh’s offense isn’t where it was last year, but isn’t too far off when you consider running back Le’Veon Bell still isn’t up to speed with the offense after two weeks. Even with Bell still finding his footing, Roethlisberger still has big play threats in Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant, who can lineup anywhere in a formation and create a mismatch.
A “sexually suggestive” sack dance has proven to be a costly one for Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo reports one too many thrusts while celebrating a sack of Vikings quarterback Case Keenum led the NFL to fine Dupree $12,154 because the league deemed it to be sexually suggestive unsportsmanlike conduct. For what it’s worth, the dance didn’t cause that game’s officiating crew to throw a flag on the play. So much for the NFL relaxing its strict celebration codes for the 2017 season.
United States President Donald Trump’s campaign rally for Alabama senatorial candidate Luther Strange featured some barbs tossed in the direction of the NFL and included an attempt to rile up the crowd with references to ongoing player protests of racial injustice. Here is a transcript of POTUS’ comments:
The NFL responded … and did so without naming who made the “divisive comments” and what the topic was that sparked such commentary. It’s fair to call this a light statement:
And so did NFLPA leader DeMaurice Smith:
NEWSLETTER
